Microsoft to Replace the Iconic Blue Screen of Death with Black

After nearly four decades, Microsoft is retiring the iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that has haunted generations of Windows users.

In a Windows 11 update scheduled for summer 2025, the company will replace the familiar blue screen with a black version. According to The Verge, citing Microsoft, the redesigned screen won’t just change color — the sad face emoji and the QR code that previously linked to error support pages will also be removed. Instead, users will see the error code and the name of the faulty driver or system component.

Microsoft says the redesign is aimed at simplifying diagnostics for both everyday users and IT support. The goal is to make the error message more technically accurate and informative, helping users and technicians pinpoint the cause of a crash faster.

The BSOD first appeared in the 1980s and quickly became one of the most recognizable symbols of Windows errors. Microsoft initially tested a black version in early Windows 11 builds before reverting back to blue — but this time, the change is official.